World's smallest missile being tested in the Mojave Desert

Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

Project manager Steve Felix inspects a 5-pound Spike missile under development at the China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center. The missile will soon be test-fired from a remote-controlled helicopter at a moving pickup truck.

Project manager Steve Felix inspects a 5-pound Spike missile under development at the China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center. The missile will soon be test-fired from a remote-controlled helicopter at a moving pickup truck. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Project manager Steve Felix inspects a 5-pound Spike missile under development at the China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center. The missile will soon be test-fired from a remote-controlled helicopter at a moving pickup truck.